SFD sees first female applicant in years

October 8, 2011

Tiffany Hill climbs up a 75-foot ladder as part of the physical agility test for the Sweetwater Fire Department.

Tiffany Hill, longtime resident of Sweetwater and Roscoe High School graduate was one of many applicants to take the entrance exam for a place at the Sweetwater Fire Department. According to Sweetwater Fire Chief Grant Madden, 44 signed up to take the test. Only 33 of those showed up to take the written exam and 27 passed the test to go on to the physical agility test the next day. "Tiffany did exceptionally well, but fell just short of the time limit.Â She never gave up and completed the course where much bigger men did not finish the course," said Madden.Â
Hill told the chief that she would do better next time.Â "We are completely outfitted to have female firefighters and have had them in years past, but not in the past few decades," added Madden.
Those taking the physical agility test had to perform many tasks in gear including a stair climb with a trauma box and a back board; climbing out of a three story window, down a ladder, back up the ladder and back through the window; equipment raise, lifting a hose and nozzle from a three story window; a 90 foot hose drag with a pressurized hose; a 24 foot extension ladder raise; a simulated pike pole pull, a sledgehammer drive, a smokehouse crawl through with a completely covered face mask; carrying the jaws of life 100 feet; and coupling and uncoupling a fire hose. Those testing also had to climb a 75-foot ladder. Paramedics tested their fine motor skills after the physical exertion.